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April 10, 2008 at 14:24:43

Headlined on 4/10/08:
Wexler: A Lone Hero at the Petraeus/Crocker Hearings

by Kevin Gosztola     Page 1 of 2 page(s)

http://www.opednews.com


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The silence and complicity of Congress is stunning. The way that Congress has allowed Bush and his Executive Branch to usurp its power over this war willfully is a blatant insult to our democracy and the American people. That the silence and complicity is intentional and not just a result of Congress trusting the Bush administration to "do the right thing" is even more insulting to this so-called free nation we Americans live in. 

The Congress' hearings with Petraeus/Crocker were yet another example to add to the potpourri of instances where Congress has outright failed America and its people.

The questions asked by Republicans were virtually all along the lines of being able to continue the "mission" or occupation of Iraq with full support and what America needed to do or think in order to support the operations 

If they were from Democrats, it was even worse. The Democrats, seeking to continue their insidious electoral plan to come off as a purely anti-war party despite their acceptance of campaign contributions from defense contractors, their support of military contractors over in the Middle East, and their refusal to filibuster and stop funding of the Iraq war, asked questions that outright betrayed all the knowledge that Americans have of this war. 

Transcripts of the event show that the Democrats were pushing Iraq as a "mistake." They were blaming the Iraqis for the situation that America is in because apparently when a country violates the sovereignty of another nation, kills millions of Iraqis, obliterates records its culture and history, and destroys that nation's infrastructure, it is that country's fault for all the problems the violator is incurring as a result of the policies the violator carried out. 

It's like taking candy from a baby and then yelling at the baby, "Why is your candy all gone?" 

Sadly, the line that Iraq was a "mistake" and the Iraqis are making it difficult for us to withdraw is how they plan to come off as anti-war this election season. They have no plans to become any stronger in their opposition to the war.  

Those we can't count on to end this war (Republicans) and those we think we can count on (Democrats) have failed us. The Bush administration's actions in connection to this Iraq war should have every member of Congress talking about taking action on impeachment. Unfortunately, even people like Dennis Kucinich, who were highly vocal about impeachment, have gone silent.

Our expectations have been lowered so much that when Joe Biden was joshing or cajoling Petraeus and Crocker at the hearing it was magnificent to many so-called liberals in the blogosphere even though he did not signal he would be filibustering funding for the Iraq war or advocating that the House move on impeachment.

One man, Robert Wexler, a Democrat from Florida, shined in the hearing. He did his job. He asked for questions from his constituents to be asked at the Petraeus/Crocker hearing prior to it and acted upon the comments/questions he received from his constituents.  

This is now the only Democrat worth sending money to for his future re-election or just for his WexlerWantsHearings.com campaign, which is a campaign for impeachment hearings. 

Every other Democrat is a waste of money that could be used to keep us from entering a state of total poverty. Save it. And especially save the money you wish to send to Obama or Clinton. 

Transcript of Wexler's heroic and moving exchange with Petraeus follows:


TRANSCRIPT

Congressman Wexler: 

Thank you.  General Petraeus, last week in anticipation of this hearing I sent an urgent e-mail asking my constituents and other Americans: if they were serving on this committee, what is the one question they would pose to you.

There was an extraordinary response, with more than five thousand questions submitted, these e-mails and phone calls expressed deeply held frustrations about the war in Iraq, and reflect the concerns of millions across the nation who feel their opinions and concerns were cast aside by the Bush Administration.

 1  |  2

 

Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. He is a Nader/Gonzalez supporter in this election but welcomes anyone who wishes to have an open discussion on why he should support somebody else. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral system, its military-industrial complex, its foreign policy of American exceptionalism, its media which has become the Fourth Branch of government,etc.)
His ambitions have him currently organizing and raising money for a Chicago Conference for Media Reform in April or May of 2009. It will be organized by college students to promote youth involvement in media reform and justice. Those interested in attending or helping with the organization of the program should contact him.

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9 comments

I'm supporting Dennis Kucinich for President. 
Ty ShlackmanI'm supporting Dennis Kucinich for President. 

Robert Wexler

Don't send Wexler your money. While its great he supports impeachment, he doesn't support Kucinich's bill HR1234 to end the Iraq occupation. Wexler also has said nothing about leaving Afghanistan and he also supports the terrorist state of Israel. Don't give your money to any candidate who supports the establishment or is supported by the establishment. Support Dean Santoro, Samm Simpson, and John Russell. There is also 1 good Green Party candidate and 1 or 2 candidates from Socialist parties in the state of Florida.

by Ty Shlackman (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 534 comments) on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 3:33:11 PM
 


Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. He is a Nader/Gonzalez supporter in this election but welcomes anyone who wishes to have an open discussion on why he ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Kevin GosztolaKevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. He is a Nader/Gonzalez supporter in this election but welcomes anyone who wishes to have an open discussion on why he ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

How about those who are in office now?

I'm not interested in waiting until November to possibly correct the problems of complicity. The Congress has a duty to this country to step up and defend the rule of law.

I do not know for sure but is it possible for pro-bono lawyers to put together a case to prosecute members of Congress who do not do their job and preserve the rule of law?

Even if it isn't, it's sounding more like a good idea every day that the Congress continues to be a do-nothing Congress and every day Obama and Clinton and the progressives who support either of them allow Obama and Clinton to be complicit and weak on the war, civil liberties, and impeachment.

by Kevin Gosztola (168 articles, 82 quicklinks, 62 diaries, 674 comments) on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 4:44:39 PM
 


I'm supporting Dennis Kucinich for President. 
Ty ShlackmanI'm supporting Dennis Kucinich for President. 

Candidate

Faye Armitage seems like a good candidate also.

by Ty Shlackman (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 534 comments) on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 3:35:07 PM
 


Author is a small business operator from the Mid Hudson Valley region in upstate N.Y., Also a Viet Era Vet.
BradAuthor is a small business operator from the Mid Hudson Valley region in upstate N.Y., Also a Viet Era Vet.

Wexler: A Lone Hero

     I would love to hear from Kucinnich on why he remained silent. I am wondering if the Democratic party silenced him  with threats of funding another Democrat to run against him (as they had Cynthia McKinney). Things have gotten so bad on both sides of the Aisle, I probably wont even show up at the poll this election. I am also wondering why Ron Paul didnt have anything to say either, a Republican supposedly against the war as well. I suppose the only place we can make ourselves felt is in the recruitment fight. They can pass laws and abuse power to tax us without representing our will, but they are not getting my grandson. If we can shut down the part of the machine that grabs the bodies to fight their war we can have an effect that way.     

by Brad (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 27 comments) on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 3:46:37 PM
 


Frank J. Ranelli is an editorial writer, a research author and critic. He is also a senior editor for OpEdNews. His erudite and chic style of writing has been lauded and extensively published in a variety of news outlets and across the Internet. These include the Naples Daily News, The Online Journal, Information Clearing House, Alternet, The Smirking Chimp, and the former progressive journal of thought, Wicked Philosophy. Frank is currently working on his upcoming book, Rise of the Authoritaria...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Frank J. RanelliFrank J. Ranelli is an editorial writer, a research author and critic. He is also a senior editor for OpEdNews. His erudite and chic style of writing has been lauded and extensively published in a variety of news outlets and across the Internet. These include the Naples Daily News, The Online Journal, Information Clearing House, Alternet, The Smirking Chimp, and the former progressive journal of thought, Wicked Philosophy. Frank is currently working on his upcoming book, Rise of the Authoritaria...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Congress has failed the people

Brad, you make an excellent point. I have vociferously argued for years now that you cannot prosecute a war – no matter how much money or propaganda is in play – if there are no soldiers to engage in the hostilities. Despots and warmongers, regardless of their perverse desires – be it greed, avarice, imperialism or ego – need a constant source of obedient, duped and deluded young men and women to charge into the theatres of war, usually under the banners of whipped up, false patriotism with a heaping side dish of mendacity claiming, "You are doing God's work."

What we need, and you deftly point this out, is to prevent future tyrants bent on American hegemony that bath in blood money, from getting their jingoistic grasp on our children and grandchildren by telling them that war is noble, righteous, or honorable – it is nothing of the sort.

War is and always will be the darkness that lurks in and around humanity as the grim reaper of our own mortality as a species. And the only way to thwart it is to stop providing the megalomaniacal men who ache for war the fodder for combat duty that merely serves its masters – big money, big oil and the military/industrial complex. All the while young lives are cut brutally and senseless short while old, amoral men grow rich and create perverse legacies of carnage.

We MUST educate the young, the vulnerable, the at risk, that military service and war is not a career, nor is it a dignified cause for one's country; it is an ignominious act of ignobility, where the fate that awaits you is death, being maimed, mentally disabled or a murderer.

Congress has failed the people, now the people must stand up to Congress. If the money will not cease to flow, the bodies to prosecute this macabre war will.

As the title of the 1970 movies opined, "Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?"

Frank R.
Senior Editor OEN

by Frank J. Ranelli (59 articles, 141 quicklinks, 25 diaries, 324 comments) on Friday, April 11, 2008 at 1:10:13 AM
 


Peace Brother is a health professional and struggling writer interested in promoting global peace and justice.
Peace BrotherPeace Brother is a health professional and struggling writer interested in promoting global peace and justice.

That's A "Tough Sell"

Convincing enough people that war is not good for children and other living things is a hard sell these days. The military/industrial complex continues to play the fear card with constantly adapting tactics to convince us that pouring all of our eggs into the military basket is the only choice that will guarantee our survival after the inevitable confrontation with "terrorists" that IS going to happen. The only question (according to them) is WHEN it will happen.

They tell us that if we want to be the last one standing afterwards, we must confront these evil terrorists on OUR terms, rather than naively sitting back and waiting for them to attack us FIRST.

They've done a great job dressing up their violent war to make it look like the only investment to guarantee our survival. After all, what good are hospitals, schools, roads and other niceties to us if we're not around to enjoy them?

They cheer us on. "Go, Fight, WIN!" But they never tell us WHAT we will win. Only that we must continue to fight.

by Peace Brother (9 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 63 comments) on Friday, April 11, 2008 at 3:05:44 AM
 


Born in 1929 in Sheffield Yorkshire England. Left school at age 14 and worked as a painter & decorator until I was called up for National service in the British Army. Served in the army untill 1973, then worked as an electronics/radio engineer untill 1984 when i retired. Built a boat and sailed around the Med. for 11 years then sold it in Tunisia, returned to the U.K. then to Florida where I've lived ever since.
douglas kayBorn in 1929 in Sheffield Yorkshire England. Left school at age 14 and worked as a painter & decorator until I was called up for National service in the British Army. Served in the army untill 1973, then worked as an electronics/radio engineer untill 1984 when i retired. Built a boat and sailed around the Med. for 11 years then sold it in Tunisia, returned to the U.K. then to Florida where I've lived ever since.

Wexler.

Wexler may not be perfect but at least he listens to his constituents of which I was one but moved after Wilma damaged the house. Most of Wexlers supporters are Jews of which there are many in the Coconut Creek area so the Holocaust and other Jewish questions are his concerns. He asked us on impeachment and we said yes please, he asked us what question to ask Petraeus and we told him, so basically he did his duty. What of the other clowns who under the cloak of anti-war are simply going along with it, are they under the impression we're all stupid flag waving in god we trust morons.

 I'm an old man so all I can do is try with other old people to give the best advice I can from my experiences.

 Schools are where the young minds and attitudes are formed along with parental guidance so get along to the school and demand a curriculum based on fact, religion has no place in schools or the home any more than astrology has.

 Drum it into your children the Military is not a career any more than bank robbery is.

 Teach your children to listen to the wise and ignore the obvious devious characters that make up the present political sect.

 Take most things said or written by the mass media as propaganda.

 Above all tell them violence in any shape or form unless in DEFENCE is an aberration.

by douglas kay (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 83 comments) on Friday, April 11, 2008 at 8:56:07 AM
 


I am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name

William CormierI am nothing more than a patriotic American that is doing whatever I can to further the cause of democracy, the rule of law, and am absolutely outraged on how the Bush administration is defying our Congress, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! Footnote: I write in a style that I believe is appropriate in today’s world where we can’t trust the Mainstream News Media, and rather than concentrating on one article alone, which may or may not receive the exposure and emphasis it should, I prefer...

to see more of bio, click on member name

The Real Problem Is Congress and Complacency!

The real issue is the complicity and subservience of a Congress that has been neutered by the Bush administration. As a whole, they are worthless, and even though Bush and Cheney have broken more laws than any administration in history, the Congress is terrified to impeach the tyrants. Why? What has Bush and Cheney done to control what is supposed to be an independent body of representatives that were sworn to serve the people – not the criminals who are pulling their strings!

 

With all of the wiretaps and NSA’s ability to listen-in to any conversation they want, this stinks and resembles the days when J. Edgar Hoover held most of his political enemies at bay by blackmail – exactly what I believe is occurring now. The Congress needs to be re-empowered, told by “the people” that we will ignore the dirt the Bush administration has on them if they will just perform their sworn duties.

 

To make matters worse, Congress’s cowardice is being compounded by the people themselves; we have forgotten how powerful we are as a whole, and rather than shutting down this country through a general strike and demanding impeachment of those who have broken our laws, we the people are allowing it to happen. Who wants to participate in a general strike when most of us cannot afford to lose a minute of wages as millions of us teeter on homelessness and financial disaster? I have stated for over a year now that we need to throw off partisan bickering among ourselves and come together in a show of solidarity, not to make a political point, but to save our way of life!

 

A one week general strike would force Congress to take action, and they would understand they are being backed by the people – who will not return to work unless they impeach the tyrants that are getting ready to attack Iran, which would be the "coup de gras" to our democracy as well as our economy if we allow it to happen. Every Blog and political site in America and abroad needs to forget their own agenda and come together as a force that cannot be reckoned with except by Congress fulfilling their duty to uphold our Constitution and rule of law. If we don’t take measures to force Congress into action, the slide into fascism will be unstoppable – and if we think it’s bad now, the future will be worse, probably even more than any of us are able to comprehend.

 

Desperate times require desperate measures. We the people hold the key, however, there has not been a leader to emerge that will energize the people to take action. None of the Presidential candidates, each of whom could instigate such an action, have stepped forward to address the dire straits this country is in, instead debating issues that sidestep the real problems that spell doom to what little is left of our democratic republic.

 

William Cormier

by William Cormier (107 articles, 5 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 266 comments) on Friday, April 11, 2008 at 9:54:53 AM
 

 

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